Here’s a link to the application, which (unfortunately for me) states that the cutoff age is 62.
https://store.usgs.gov/sites/default/files/senior_pass_application.pdf
H and I both have one. I leave mine in my car. H keeps his in his wallet our car or a rental car.
We use ours for many of the hikes in our national parks that are local.
When we moved to San Diego, we bought a house 4 miles from Cabrillo National Monument. The day after we arrived, I drove there and bought a senior pass at the gate house (luckily one of the places that sell them). My only regret was that it was no longer called a Golden Eagle pass - much cooler name. We keep it on the refrigerator because I often go to my neighborhood national park, and sometimes DH bikes there himself - no one ever looks at the card to check the name.
^
We are always asked for the card and a picture ID.
We heard about this in June, and my DH just turned 62. We were planning to visit Thomas Edison National Park, so this was a great reason to go. We went in July, and even though they had run out of the physical passes, they gave us a receipt, and the pass came in the mail this week.
I had to sign for it, and I told my mail carrier about the pass, because she’s getting close to retirement. Turns out her husband is 63, and they intend to visit many National Parks when she retires! She came to my door on Friday to thank me for the info, because her husband applied on line. What a great feeling!
I’ll chime in on the admiration for the park employees, but I was an NPS Park Technician (like a ranger with the Smokey Bear outfit, but no gun) in the late 70’s and just loved the job and the people.
Talking about NPS rangers, there’s an interesting series of mysteries by Nevada Barr starring Ranger Anna Pigeon. Anna finds herself all over the country and there are excellent descriptions of all of the parks where she works. Although I must say I never knew there were so many murders in national parks…
I love volunteering at the national park. The best part is that there are such a diversity of people coming through and loving our natural resources. I had never imagined people from so many countries come to our parks!
Was at Point Ray Natural Reserve, a National Park, they sold out the senior pass already, so, no need to go there to get one. The 13 mile hike was wonderful, nevertheless, and it is free for everyone.
The senior pass is supposed to be good for 4 people. I have had one for a while, but the local parks place didn’t recognize my DH’s military ID and wouldn’t let him get his free pass. Grrr. But they let me buy a second senior pass. DH accidentally left it in a rental car 
I helped my SIL buy hers online today. For some reason, she couldn’t get to the payment page on her phone. All she needed was the last four digits of her SSN, and her birthdate. An extra $10 processing fee, but a good deal nonetheless.
@artloversplus : when we were at the Thomas Edison site, they also had run out of the physical passes, but they processed our application, and gave us a receipt that we could use for future park visits until our pass arrived. Saved us $10.
My co-worker told me about the pass last month. The extra $10 processing fee was well worth it. Thanks for the passport storage idea.
@jym626 That pass is only valid for National Parks, not for State or County Parks and no pass no entry free.
Speaking of senior moments, I always carry that pass in my wallet, but pass sunday, when I tried to find it, it took me good 15 min. to dig it out between the two photos.
Dont know what you are referring to,@artloversplus. We just used it at the national forestry service site off the blue ridge parkway, and at our walking/running trail which is a national forest. DH is supposed to get a free military pass, but the idiots at the location ( the “local parks place”. which was part of the national forest) we went to didn’t recognize his indefinite ID. Whatever. My SIL got us another pass and since we have the same first initial and last name, its fine (the ones that came in the mail have our name preprinted on them, not that it really matters).
At $10 it was a good idea for me to get one (had left his at home- did a cruise) because even if he dies I will still have mine. Start thinking about those things when you get old(er). Don’t mind giving the Park Service money, either.
H just carries the card in his billfold, since he is the only one that can use it. Sometimes we have been in Hawaii and other places and realized we could use it.
I am going to just keep mine in my wallet. H will not be the required age until November. Glad you can take 4 people in on one pass.
Won’t be long before I qualify for a discounted senior pass and I will certainly buy one. However, I have always wondered why older people pay less at national parks. As a rule, the older people in our parks appear to be fairly wealthy and historically our current older generation is one of the most wealthy in the history of civilization. I don’t know why I pay more to camp in a tent than a 70 year old in a $500,000 motor home pays. I would prefer that they treat everyone equally and charge the same rates to all.
@WISdad23 , while I wish I were old enough to get the price break, I totally understand your question. I’m afraid that younger folks will become more engaged digitally and less with the outdoors and our national treasures will slip into disrepair or worse.
How about we propose a free “beginner pass” for first time campers in less used areas?
Unfortunately DH and I are a couple of years too young. Our youngest just discovered that being active military got him in free this weekend. He’s liking the perks!
Just applied for one online, thanks for the reminder. DH has his for several years but I want my own.